Five Reasons You Might Be A Thalassophile

I know what you are thinking, so I’ll cut right to the chase: A thalassophile is a lover of the sea. There are people who enjoy the ocean, and then there are those of us who love it, and need it. Whether we depend on it for happiness, relaxation, a livelihood, a home, or for nourishment, some people simply must be near the sea.

I know that I am a thalassophile. I live, work, and play on the ocean. Of course I love the mountains too, but I can’t imagine living far from the ocean. I am drawn to the endless horizon, the opportunities for adventure, and the fresh salt air. It’s not just that I am obsessed with boats, but that I also love the sea beneath them.

Here’s five reasons you might be a thalassophile as well:

1.) You could never live in a landlocked state

Of the fifty states, there are twenty-four that touch the ocean. For you, the idea of living in a landlocked state is unimaginable. Coastal states are better so that you can get your regular fix of the ocean. Sometimes all you need is a walk along the shore, or a ferry ride to an island. However you experience the ocean, you need it on a regular basis.

For thousands of years people have settled along the coast for access to trade and travel. Many of the largest cities on the planet started as ports; hubs for global and regional transportation. Maybe a part of you still cherishes the sea as a gateway to the world. To stand on the edge of the sea is to feel freedom. Whatever the reason, living in a landlocked state just doesn’t seem manageable.

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2.) You always vacation by the sea

Wherever you live, you always travel to a seaside destination for vacation. Whether you visit a warm beach on a remote island, charter a boat to explore a new country, or scuba dive on a tropical reef, a vacation without the sea would be incomplete. For you the ocean has a unique ability to calm the nerves and refresh the soul.

The sound of the crashing waves, the smell of the fresh sea air… it’s a remedy for the stresses of everyday life. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do, explains that “water quiets all the noise, all the distractions, and connects you to your own thoughts.” For you, the true ocean lover, there is no other place to vacation.

3.) You dream of living on an island

If you rely on the ocean for your happiness, relaxation, and reflection, you probably dream of living on an island. What better way to experience the sea than to surround yourself with it. For you there could be no better way to live. On a secluded island or within a small island community, the ability to access the ocean at a moments notice would be fantastic. Of course living on an island isn’t all fun and relaxation, it has it’s own challenges too. Nonetheless, the idea of living in a place surrounded by water has you swooning.

4.) The ocean helps you relax

When you have had a long day at work, and you need to unwind, you look to the sea. Since you are a thalassophile you live near the coast, so a walk along the shore is only moments away. Just a few moments at the end of a long day will clear your mind. With every breath you draw in fresh, renewing ocean air, and exhale your worries across the endless sea.

You stare at the waves on the shore and watch as they polish the stones. Slowly but surely the ocean strips away all of the rough edges. A swim in the saltwater completes your stress-cleanse. As you exit the water you feel energized and alive, ready for another day.

5.) You love seafood

10392178_1134971094094_7801341_nGiven a choice, you will always choose the seafood dish. Baked, boiled, fried, raw, grilled…just pass the fish. Included in your love of the sea, is a love for the bounty it provides. The smell, taste, and texture of fish offers a little slice of the ocean. One bite has you imagining the underwater world of the fish, the briny tang of the water, the limitless expanse of blue.

As a lover of the sea you also know the importance of sustainable seafood choices. Species that are overfished or farmed with irresponsible methods can cause damage to the very oceans you love. Just like the farm to table movement, you want to know where your fish came from and how it was caught.

 

Does this sound like you? What do you love about the ocean? Comment below!

 

Matt Garand

About Matt Garand

Lifelong Mainer, and professional mariner, Matt Garand is the creator of A Life Aboard, a look at year-round living on a sailboat in Maine. Matt and his wife, Skye, live aboard in South Portland and use every available chance to throw off the lines and explore the coast.